The Illustrated Koka Shastra: Medieval Indian Writings on Love Based on the Kama Sutra

by Kokkoka; Comfort, Alex; Comfort, Alex; Fowkes, Charles; Eatsyayana; Vatsyayana

• ISBN13: 9780684839813
• ISBN10: 0684839814
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-09-01
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Summary

The Illustrated Koka Shastra explores all matters sexual, from setting the mood to explicit instruction on technique. In this edition, Comfort's translation is supplemented with explanatory notes and commentary. Explicit images drawn from a collection of ancient Indian paintings and sculptures - many never before published - complement and augment the classic text. This collection of instruction for intimate relations includes the complete text of the Koka Shastra and Ratimanjari, along with other significant medieval Indian writings on love such as the Ananga Ranga (the Stage of Love-God) and the Panchasaiyaka (the Five Arrows). This celebration of sex and sexuality is an invitation to explore a state of mind that accepts physical intimacy as a positive good and its elaboration as a natural part of life.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	6	(16)
INTRODUCTION	22	(32)
THE LATER EROTIC TEXTS	40	(1)
The Pancasayaka of Jyotirisvara Kavisekhara	40	(2)
The Kandarpacudamani of Virabhadradeva	42	(1)
The Smaradipika	42	(2)
The Ananga Ranga of Kalyanmalla	44	(1)
The Ratimanjari of Jayadeva	44	(5)
The Dinalapanika Sukasaptati	49	(3)
Other Texts	52	(2)
THE KOKA SHASTRA	54	(74)
OF THE PHYSICAL TYPES AND THEIR SEASONS	58	(4)
OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR	62	(4)
OF THE PHYSICAL TYPES BY THEIR GENITAL CHARACTERS	66	(6)
OF WOMEN BY THEIR AGES, TEMPERAMENTS, AND DISPOSITIONS	72	(8)
OF WOMEN BY CUSTOM AND PLACE	80	(4)
OF EMBRACES	84	(2)
OF KISSES	86	(2)
OF LOVE-MARKS	88	(4)
OF COITION AND THE VARIOUS COITAL POSTURES	92	(10)
OF LOVE-BLOWS AND LOVE-CRIES	102	(4)
THE WOOING OF A BRIDE	106	(4)
CONCERNING WIVES	110	(4)
CONCERNING RELATIONS WITH STRANGE WOMEN	114	(14)
Note on the Translation	128	(1)
Further Reading	128